Raiders' home is their hassle

Jeffri Chadiha, OF THE EXAMINER STAFF

Published 4:00 am, Tuesday, October 7, 1997

ALAMEDA - Losing is one thing the Raiders know plenty about, especially when it comes to defeats on their home field.

Their 25-10 loss to the San Diego Chargers dropped their record to 2-4 on the season, and also marked the 10th defeat in their last 15 games in the Coliseum. It's one more trend that has this team baffled. The Raiders, by the way, have won just nine of their last 28 games overall.

"You never want to look bad in front of your home crowd," said Raiders fullback Derrick Fenner. "It's like being in a fight in your neighborhood and getting beaten up by some kid from another neighborhood. If you lose, you don't want it to be in your own place. It definitely adds to our frustration."

The Raiders are still reeling from Sunday's defeat, a butt-kicking so thorough that they had little explanation to offer. They were hoping to even their record at 3-3 heading into the bye week, but instead proved once more they may just have a home-field disadvantage.

The Coliseum attendance is one issue - only 43,648 watched the Chargers contest. However, with or without fan support, the Raiders have frequently found ways to disappoint themselves at home.

Aside from a 35-17 victory over St. Louis two weeks ago, the Raiders have lost games in both dramatic and ridiculous fashion. Kansas City's Elvis Grbac hit Andre Rison for a game-winning 32-yard touchdown pass on Sept. 8. Denver's John Elway completed a similar game-winning throw in a Monday night game last season. Mike White's final game as coach - a season-ending loss to Seattle in December - was an excruciating embarrassment; the Raiders couldn't even snap the ball on some plays.

Sunday's loss was more of the same. The Chargers dominated the Raiders on both sides of the line, walking away with a surprisingly easy victory. The Raiders allowed 181 yards to San Diego's Gary Brown while gaining just 13 on the ground themselves.

"The guys are down in the dumpster today," said Raiders coach Joe Bugel, who has preached the importance of winning at home. "They're getting called a lot of names. But I told them there's nothing you can do except win. Then you're liked again. But my dad was there and he booed. My wife and kids were booing. We deserved it. We stunk."

One of the hardest thing for the Raiders to accept about Sunday's loss was that they can't afford games like those, even though every team has one sooner or later. The Raiders are realizing the depth of their despair, caused by losing three of their first four games. If they were 4-1 going into Sunday's game, this loss wouldn't carry the magnitude it does. Now it kills them.

The only positive for the Raiders is they have two weeks to prepare for the 6-0 Denver Broncos, which is plenty of time for soul-searching and adjusting. At least it sounds like a good thing.

"I wish we could continue playing," said running back Napoleon Kaufman. "Now we have to sit and think about what has happened. It would be easier to focus on a team this week. There will be a lot of questioning. That happens when you lose. But we have to stick together and continue to fight."

TC.: Bugel said the Raiders must improve in third-down situations, both offensively and defensively. The team has converted just 26 percent (20 of 77) of its third-down opportunities. Defensively, they've allowed a 31 percent conversion rate. . . . Starting CBs Terry McDaniel (knee) and Albert Lewis (hamstring) both are expected to be ready for Denver. . . . Other injuries: WR James Jett (ankle) is questionable for practice on Wednesday; LT Pat Harlow (back) also might miss some practices this week; and SS James Trapp (ribs) is listed as day-to-day. . . . The NFL trading deadline passed Tuesday at 1 p.m. and the Raiders made no moves, although DT Chester McGlockton was shopped around. . . . The Raiders can expect physical practices this week. Bugel wants to correct the problems that plagued his rushing defense and offense against the Chargers. The Raiders will practice Wednesday through Friday, then take Saturday and Sunday off.&lt;